Muscles Controlling Movements of the Head

The four straight and two oblique muscles associated with the atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial joints form a group of their own.

The rectus capitis dorsalis major (Fig. 12.12/2) arises from the spine of the axis, just cranial to the attachment of the nuchal ligament, and inserts on the nuchal surface of the skull, ventral to the insertion of the semispinalis capitis, by which it is covered.

The rectus capitis dorsalis minor (Fig. 12.12/8), deep to the preceding muscle, is a short flat muscle; it arises from the dorsal arch of the atlas and inserts on the skull above the foramen magnum.

The rectus capitis ventralis comes from the ventral arch of the atlas and goes to the ventral surface of the occipital bone. It lies dorsal to the much larger longus capitis, which inserts close by.

The rectus capitis lateralis passes between the ventral arch of the atlas and the paracondylar process of the occipital bone. The rectus muscles move the head both up and down and sideways.

The obliquus capitis cranialis arises from the cranial surface of the wing of the atlas and inserts on the nuchal surface of the skull.

The larger obliquus capitis caudalis arises from the lateral surface of the spine of the axis and inserts on the caudal surface of the wing of the atlas. The obliquus muscles are responsible for rotation of the head at the atlantoaxial joint.